Speak Up

Mother and adult daughter smiling You are the most important member of your health care team, and your safety is our top priority.

Everyone at Enloe Health is a safety inspector, including patients, family and friends. Your input is important.

Research shows that patients who take part in their health care decisions have better outcomes. Here are ways you can help:

Understand Your Care

  • Grandmother with doctorMake sure you know exactly what will be happening to you.
  • Before your procedure date, discuss questions with your doctor.
  • Be aware of any risks or complications.
  • Know how long the treatment or procedure will last.
  • Know what to expect after it’s over, such as your expected recovery time and whether you will need a ride home.
  • If you don’t understand something, keep asking questions until you do.

Inquire

  • Speak up if you do not understand your doctor or nurse.
  • Let your care team know if something seems wrong.
  • If you’ve had tests done, ask about the results.
  • Know the medications or treatments you’re being given to ensure they’re meant for you. Your nurses should check your ID band before giving you medication. If they don’t, mention it.
  • Anyone touching you, whether a caregiver or visitor, should cleanse their hands first. Hand washing is the most important thing we can do to stop the spread of infection.
  • It is appropriate to say, “Excuse me, did you clean your hands?” or “I saw that you cleaned your hands. Thank you!”

Bring Help

  • Happy couple outside huggingConsider having a trusted friend or family member accompany you.
  • This person will be your advocate and “second set of eyes.”
  • Ask this person to pay attention to the care you are receiving.
  • Your advocate should also speak up if something does not seem right.
  • This person can ask questions you may have but forget to ask.
  • This person should be aware of your wishes about resuscitation and life support.

Check for IDs

  • All Enloe caregivers should introduce themselves and will be wearing a badge. If they’re not wearing a badge, ask for the supervisor to verify that this person should be caring for you.

Staff Will ID You, Too

  • Young cancer patient Staff should check that you are the correct patient.
  • Everyone on your health care team will verify your identity. This is a safety check.
  • If you are having surgery, caregivers should also ask you the name and location of the procedure. This is also a safety check.
  • If you are having surgery, you and your physician will mark the site of your surgery with your surgeon’s initials.

Have Concerns?

Enloe Health values patient feedback and aims to resolve conflicts whenever possible. Patients and/or their representatives have the right to share complaints. They have the right for complaints to be investigated and resolved whenever possible. Please note that complaints do not affect access to health care.

If you would like to talk to someone directly, please contact our manager of patient experience at 530-332-7005.

Contact Us

To file a formal complaint or grievance, call Enloe Health’s Patient Experience manager at 530-332-7005.